Steve Whitmire has left the Muppets, Matt Vogel to continue as Kermit

[DarthGonzo]

Someone better be writing a tell-all book as we speak because this is so interesting.

Now for my analysis of the situation. This is how I see it, and all opinion.

I think the main reason why the Henson kids have been quiet until now is because it's kind of poor taste to openly diss someone who works for you and that you have given the opportunity to puppeteer your biggest character. Now that he doesn't work for either company, it's fair game, and I'm eating it all up.

Maybe at one point, Steve was thought to be a good "replacement" for Jim, so that is why Brian offered the position to him. I would think the other Henson siblings would have been consulted as well, but maybe Brian had the ultimate decision in the end (this would give reason to Cheryl's FB post).

Obviously somewhere as time went on, Steve began feeling entitled. He didn't feel like the characters were being handled correctly so he started sending notes etc.

Let me tell you that if you start sending notes to your boss about how to run things, no matter how long you've been working for said company, you WILL be fired. If Steve didn't like how things were going for the Muppets (which he openly says he didn't) then he should have left long ago.

His line in the recent Inside Edition video really irks me. "I am Kermit, and Kermit is me."

Why did he think that was a good thing to say. I'm sorry Steve, but you are not, were not, and will not "be" Kermit. Kermit was Jim, and Jim only. Anyone else is just the current embodiment of the character while performing. Nothing more, nothing less. Steve was given the great opportunity to puppeteer Kermit, that doesn't make him sole owner of the character.

I find it so interesting that 3/4 surviving Henson kids all have such strong opinions against Steve. This means that Steve's alleged behavior has been going on for over 20 years if the kids had on hand experience witnessing Steve's work behavior.

The more I read about this situation, the more interested I am to know what Steve has possibly prevented from happening, and if he has caused any more drama for the Muppet Studios. I don't like that so many people here are playing Steve as the victim, because he is the only one who has said that he is innocent in this situation. Every other source has said he is hard to work with, demanding, etc.

Now, I'm saving my thoughts on Matt's Kermit for later this week, but I have faith that Matt will bring more Jim to Kermit than Steve ever did.

Hands down the smartest thing I've read in this entire thread.

 

[Muppy]

Hands down the smartest thing I've read in this entire thread.

Haha, thanks

 

[Muppet Master]

Ugh, I don't know what to think anymore. At first, I was really sad for Steve, but then his kids come in and start bashing him. I feel like at the end of the day, Steve meant well though.

 

[dwayne1115]

This is like watching a divorce woth a married couple with kids. The kids being The Muppets, and they are the ones that are going to be hurt by all this.

 

[Oscarfan]

The NY Times article is the last thing I intent to read. I'm done.

 

[Mo Frackle]

This is like watching a divorce woth a married couple with kids. The kids being The Muppets, and they are the ones that are going to be hurt by all this.

A divorce case, where the Muppets sit in the back, silently, slowly rocking back and forth, while the jury (fans) unsuccessfully attempts to reach a verdict.

 

[dwayne1115]

The NY Times article is the last thing I intent to read. I'm done.

As in done do you just mean with this issue? Please dont let this drama hinder you love for the Muppets.

 

[Muppy]

Well if this is a court case, I want more witnesses. I call the Muppeteers to the stand.

 

[CBPuppets]

to be honest at first I felt bad for Steve, because he was doing what he thought was right, but when The Henson kids said otherwise, well I'm not sure what to believe in anymore...

 

[Muppet Master]

Agreed. I want to hear Dave Goelz's input. He's worked with him the longest and is likely his closest companion.